Nausheen Karim
M Sabbir Jahangir
Sultana Ferdous Sumi
Authorized By: Ms. Rejwana Farha
Lecturer, School of Business
Report Started On: 1/12/2006
Date of Submission: 20/12/2006
2. PROBLEM AND PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the report is to find the factors which instigate the fear towards public speaking which is also known as “glossophobia”, its symptoms, awareness amongst people and most importantly to identify methods and techniques which would allow a person to reduce that fear and excel in public speaking.
3. LIMITATIONS
We have faced a surprisingly large number of problems while working on this paper. Some of these problems had very minimal impact on the report while others caused big problems. They have been listed below.
- Political problems creating immense pressure during the latter part of the semester. This also created problems while coordinating with group members.
- We had a very small sample size for our primary investigation. The problem with less number of surveyed people is that it is very difficult to identify a trend and come to a conclusion with it. So there was more reliance on secondary data.
- The report is aimed at only the students of North South University and the tips and methods given are not suitable for everybody since these are very basic ideas. The report does not go in detail of the problem.
- The conclusions derived do not take into account factors such as age, sex, personality etc.
4. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Historical documents indicate that public speaking was an activity and object of study in the ancient Grecian city-states and the Roman Empire. However, public speaking has probably been a part of all civilizations since very early times, maybe even as old as almost speech itself. The first textbook on the subject was written over 2400 years ago, and the principles elaborated within it were drawn from the practices and experience of orators in ancient Greece. These basic principles have undergone modification as societies and cultures have changed, yet remained surprisingly uniform.
So it will be correct to assume that the fear of public speaking (also known as ‘glossophobia’ existed since the beginning of public speaking). It is believed to be the single most common phobia — even above death — affecting as much as 75% of all people. We can see that this is no new problem. There have been hundreds of studies on this topic and there are organizations, such as Toastmasters International and International Training in Communication, which provide training and courses in public speaking to help to reduce the fear. Unfortunately no such ‘professional’ institutes are present in Bangladesh and a great deal needs to be done in this regard.
5. SOURCES AND METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
To gather data for our research we have relied on primary as well as secondary research.
For primary data collection we have surveyed about 10 students from North South University by distributing questionnaires. These students have been selected randomly without any particular order. Since our target group was NSU students, the questionnaires were prepared to best address their views and opinions. This survey helped us to gather a wide range of views regarding the subject matter and also allowed us to identify a trend and analyze it.
As the sample size for primary investigation has been small we have put a lot of emphasis on our secondary research. For secondary data we have also taken help from a large number of internet sources. Most of these are websites, encyclopedias or forums related to public speaking like (other sources provided in the ‘appended’ section). I also took help from my course book titled “Basic Business Communication”.
6. DEFINITIONS, INITIALISMS AND ACRONYMS
Nausea: The sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit.
Glossophobia: The fear of public speaking. Glossophobia may be a symptom of stage fright.
Encyclopedia: A comprehensive written compendium that contains information on all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge.
C. The Report Body
1. RESEARCH AREAS
We have looked in the following areas of research to investigate the “Fear of Public Speaking”. We will be concentrating upon the following research areas:
i. Awareness of “glossophobia”
In this section we have tried to identify whether people are aware of the term “glossophobia” and also whether people give it enough importance.
ii. Symptoms of “glossophobia”
This section deals with the symptoms of “glossophobia”. These symptoms will help us identify whether a person has “glossophobia” or not.
iii. Methods to reduce “glossophobia”
This is the final section which deals with ways and methods of reducing this fear of public speaking.
2. TABULAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA COLLECTED THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES
3. INTERPRETATION OF SURVEY AND ANALYSIS
In this section we have represented the results of the important questions in a user-friendly manner and also analyzed the data.
QUESTION #2. Do you tend to avoid public speaking?
FIGURE 1
From the figure we can see that 30% respondents tend to avoid public speaking, while 30% do not. Another 40% avoid public speaking on certain occasions.
QUESTION #3. Do you have feeling of nausea while speaking in public?
FIGURE 2
30% respondents have high level of nausea while public speaking. Another 30% have medium levels while 40% have no nausea at all.
QUESTION #4. Do you have anxiety prior to public speaking?
FIGURE 3
A staggering 70% replies said that they have anxiety before speaking in public. 20% have no anxiety at all while only 10% have small levels of anxiety.
Analysis of Questions #2, 3 and 4:
From the data we see mixed results. However one thing that can be deduced is that people do have anxiety. They also try to avoid public speaking or experience feelings of nausea. This does not necessary mean that everybody experiences all of the mentioned symptoms. However, it would be unlikely to find a person who does not exhibit any of these three symptoms.
QUESTION #5. Are you aware of the term “glossophobia”?
FIGURE 4
Only 10% people surveyed are aware of the term. Another 10% knows that such a term exists. However the majority that is 80% do not know the term at all.
Analysis of Questions #5
Even though people do know that they fear public speaking and are well acquainted with it most of the respondents do not know the fact that “glossophobia” is the fear of speaking in public.
QUESTION #6. What do you think is the main cause of “glossophobia”?
FIGURE 5
50% people believe that the fear of looking foolish is the main cause. Only
10% blame bad language skills while 40% said that lack of preparation is the main cause.
Analysis of Questions #6
Even though language skills are important while presenting they do not usually give rise to the fear of public speaking. Judging from the data collected, it seems like fear of looking foolish in front of others and lack of preparation are equally responsible for “glossophobia”.
QUESTION #9. Which of these can help solve “glossophobia” best?
FIGURE 6
Both practice and preparation received 30% votes. Mental strength and optimism received 20% each.
Analysis of Questions #9
Even though language skills are important while presenting they do not usually give rise to the fear of public speaking. Judging from the data collected, it seems like fear of looking foolish in front of others and lack of preparation are equally responsible for “glossophobia”.
QUESTION #10. Do you think Bangladesh has any professional institutes that can help reduce such fear?
FIGURE 7
The majority agrees to the fact that there are no professional institutes that can help reduce “glossophobia” in Bangladesh. Only 10% think that such institutions exist.
Analysis of Questions #10
The results of this question have very important significance. As we can see, almost none of the respondents have heard of any professional institutions to reduce “glossophobia” in Bangladesh. This means that any attempt to reduce the fear of public speaking has to come from within.
D. The Ending of the Report
1. ENDING SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
In summary the conclusions that we have reached from our primary investigation are
- The majority of people are not aware of fact that the “fear of public speaking” is also known as glossophobia.
- Most people experience “glossophobia” to some extent or the other. For example a person may not be nervous in front of hundred people, but may still get nervous while speaking in front of a thousand people.
- Glossophobia is caused mainly due to the fear of looking foolish in front of others and lack of preparation before public speaking.
- Practice, preparation, mental strength and optimism are all almost equally important while trying to reduce glossophobia.
- Bangladesh lacks in professional institutes that can help reduce “glossophobia”.
2. RECOMMENDATIONS
Using the analysis of the questionnaires together with secondary data we have identified a lot of techniques that can us to use to overcome the fear of making a mistake or looking foolish when you speak to a group. They are provided below. Note that these have been written in second person.
i. Be Well Prepared
One of the best ways to make sure you don't make foolish mistakes is to be well prepared before you speak to a group. You should know what are going to talk about, whom you will speak to, and under what conditions you will speak.
Leave nothing to chance:
A professional in any field does not leave anything to chance before a big game, important performance, or critical presentation to corporate executives. Strategies are laid out, all material is ready, contingency plans are made, and every detail is taken care of. When you are well prepared, chances of failure or goof-ups are greatly reduced. You feel more relaxed and sure of yourself, because you have all the bases covered.
Your material:
You need to know exactly what you are going to talk about. This doesn't mean to memorize exactly what you plan to say. Rather, it is to have a good outline of facts and information that you can talk about.
Know audience:
It is good to be aware of what type of audience you will be speaking before. This will give you an idea of the subject matter and tone of your speech. If you are speaking before some important people or at an important event, that fact may increase your anxiety. But it is good to know up front, so that you can properly prepare for the occasion.
Check Conditions:
It is good to check over the conditions under which you will speak. If you can, go up to the lectern to check things over and get a feel for things. If you will use a microphone, check it out. In some situations, a person may simply make a presentation in a meeting room at work. Even then, it is a good idea to check out the room beforehand and try to visualize how you will be doing things. Note that going through this process will actually relax you and give you more confidence when it is your turn to speak.
ii. Practice
You should practice your speech many times before you give it. Even if you know your material very well, practice is extremely important. The more you give a talk, the more automatic it becomes, the more meat it can have, and the more confidence you have in your abilities to give the speech.
Practice alone:
Ways to practice alone are to first simply say the speech out loud. This is good to get the material more ingrained in your memory.
Use a mirror:
Then say the speech, looking into a mirror. This is good to do, because you must concentrate more. You also get an idea of how you look when speaking. Finally, if you must refer to notes, it allows you to practice eye contact with the audience.
Stand in the corner:
An interesting trick is to say your speech while standing in the corner. The sound reflects back to you, and you can get a good idea how you sound when you speak.
Record your practice:
Another way to practice is using a tape recorder. This forces you to avoid pausing to try to remember things. It also allows you to play the speech back to study how you sound, your phrasing, and the content of the material.
Use a friendly audience:
Practice before friends. This is a very important way to practice, because it is getting closer to the "real world" of speaking to a group. Even an audience of one person is good for this type of practice.
iii. Have a backup
It is worthwhile to bring along a "security blanket" or "safety net" in case something goes wrong in your presentation. The main thing to worry about is forgetting what you were going to say next. This can happen even if you've done extensive practicing of the speech.
Outline:
It is good to have your speech outlined on a few sheets of paper or on 3 X 5 cards. You can then refer to them in case you have a mental lapse. Referring to your notes is certainly acceptable to an audience, as long as you are not reading a speech word-for-word from a script. One thing that having a safety net provides is that it reduces you anxiety about forgetting what you were going to say or having your mind go blank. You may never even use the cards, but the fact that you have them--just in case--can greatly reduce the butterflies.
iv. Mental Approach
The more important the audience or the occasion, the greater your fear can be. You don't want to look like a fool in front of the bosses at work, your peers, or even your friends and relatives.
Not that important:
One method to overcome this fear is to visualize the people as not all that important. An old trick is to imagine that the audience is naked. Or perhaps imagine them all in clown outfits. A ridiculous image will make them seem not all that important.
Use positive approach:
The problem with that method is that it seems somewhat negative. If you look down at your audience, it may be reflected in your speech. I prefer a more positive approach. You have to realize that the audience is usually on your side. They want to hear what you have to say and to see you do well. Before you give your speech, think of them as caring, friendly people who want to hear you speak. It is just like talking to your friends.
The positive image should relax you and put you in a good frame of mind. The audience will also read your body language and respond accordingly.
v. Relaxing before speaking
When you are introduced to speak, take three breaths to settle you down before you get out of your chair. Then when you go up to the lectern, thank the person who introduced you and then count to 10 before you start speaking.
This will allow the audience to get settled and ready to hear you. It also is a way that you are showing that you are now in control.
It is not easy to do, because you have to look at the audience and panic may settle in. But if you have made all the preparations, you can be sure of yourself and deserve to be in control of the situation. It is a good feeling.
Appended Parts
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Lesikar and Flatley. (2005). Basic Business Communication: Skills for empowering the internet generation. New York: McGRAW-HILL.
2. Ron Kurtus. (22 December 2001). Overcome the Fear of Speaking to Groups. 19 December, 2006, from http:// www.school-for champions.com/speaking/fear.htm.
3. Unknown Author (7 December 2006). Essential Presentation Skills. 19 December, 2006, from http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/Forum/index.php.
4. Unknown Author (11 December 2006). Glossophobia. 19 December, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossophobia.
APPENDIX
Appended part starts from next page.
